PEC doffs pink hats for cancer awareness

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) lineworkers and field staff are proudly showing their support for breast health during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Instead of traditional white hard hats, PEC crews will be wearing light pink hats in the field.

“I wear a pink ribbon sticker on my current hard hat,” said Karl Keel, a PEC regional operations supervisor. “My mother-in-law is 88 years old and has been cancer-free for 17 years. I’m wearing the color pink for her.”

The idea for pink hard hats was brought to PEC management by employees wanting to raise awareness throughout the Hill Country.

“Our employees have wanted to show their support for some time,” said Wayne McKee, PEC’s vice president of operations. “This disease has impacted so many of our employees and their families and friends. It’s an honor to recognize this month and help promote breast cancer awareness in such a visible way throughout our communities.”

The hats are part of the 3M Pink Hard Hat campaign in collaboration with the American Cancer Society. 3M created the pink hats to raise breast cancer awareness, and more than 15,000 electrical workers have worn them since the campaign launched in 2013. Purchase of the pink hard hats also helps support cancer research, and this year 3M will make a $15,000 donation to the American Cancer Society.

In addition to supporting 3M’s campaign, last year PEC employees gave more than $4,000 to cancer-related organizations through its United Charities program. Nearly $2,000 went to breast cancer research alone.

“I hope our members look twice when they notice our crews in pink hard hats and see that PEC is committed to breast cancer awareness and is a supportive community partner,” McKee said.

Follow our crews and pink hard hats throughout the month of October on PEC’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PedernalesCoop.